Firearm support system

ABSTRACT

A firearm support system is provided to support a firearm or a portion of person that in turn holds the firearm to make a steady shot. The firearm support system is particularly adaptable for use in a tree stand or tree. The firearm support system can be attached directly to the tree stand or tree and is pivotable thereto, allowing for a wide field of view and use. The firearm support system is collapsible, either by folding or telescoping, making for a more compact unit that can be easily carried to the hunting location.

The present invention relates to a firearm support system to provide a support for the firearm to assist in hunting activities, and more particularly, a firearm support system that allows a hunter to transport and easily install the firearm support system in tree or tree stand.

Currently, most hunters do not have a support system that holds the firearms steady while hunting or they use a stationary gun holder that is either mounted directly to the tree stand or tree. However, both of these options are not very satisfactory when sitting in a tree or tree stand for many hours while waiting the for the game to come by the hunter. Additionally, the stationary holder does not allow for easy transport to a different location if the hunter decides to hunt at another location, unless other holders are mounted at the other locations. If the hunter does not have a steady aim on the animal, the hunter may miss the animal or simply injure the animal rather than kill it quickly.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a firearm support system that substantially obviates one or more of the problems and disadvantages in the prior art. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus and process particularly pointed out in the written description and claims, as well as the appended drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed to a firearm support system comprising an extendable arm, a support element attached to the extendable arm, and a support attachment member to engage a fixed structure and configured to accept at least a portion of the extendable arm.

In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a firearm support system comprising an extendable arm, the extendable arm having a first end configured to engage a support structure, and a support element attached to a second end of the extendable arm.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a firearm support system comprising, an arm configured to be attached to a support structure, and a support element attached to the arm, the support element having a plurality of rest members spaced from one other along the support element to support a firearm.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the firearm support system of FIG. 1 in a folded position;

FIG. 3 is the other side view of the firearm support system of FIG. 1 in a folded position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the firearm support system of FIG. 1 in a partially unfolded position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the firearm support system of FIG. 1 illustrating the storage of one embodiment of a support attachment member;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the portion of the support attachment member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the support attachment member installed in a fixed structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support attachment member according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the support attachment member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a support attachment member according to the present invention strapped to a fixed structure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support attachment member according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the support attachment member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention in a folded configuration;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of the firearm support system of FIG. 12 in a contracted configuration;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of a firearm support system ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an alternative embodiment of a rest member with screws stored therein;

FIG. 18 is a partial view of an end of an arm segment of a firearm support system with screws stored therein; and

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a support element according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, a firearm support system 10 has an extendable arm 12 that preferably has three arm segments 12 a,12 b,12 c rotatably connected to one another. The firearm support system 10 also has a projection 14 attached to a first end 16 of the extendable arm 12. The projection 14 is preferably configured as a cylindrical member, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The projection 14 slides into support attachment member 18, which in turn attaches to a fixed support structure 20. The fixed support structure 20 is preferably a tree, but it can be any fixed object, including a bush, a tree stand in a tree or on the ground, a building, etc. The extendable arm 12 also has a support element 22 that is attached to a second end 24 of the extendable arm 12. The support element 22 preferably has two fibrous elements 26 that extend from second end 24 and have a plurality of rest members 28. The fibrous elements 26 are preferably made of nylon, but could be made of any durable material such as cotton string, leather or could even be a non-flexible member as described below. The rest members 28 are preferable elongated cylindrical members, but could be of any shape and size. For example, the rest members 28 could have a square, oval, or any other shape cross section. The two fibrous elements 26 are attached at either end of the rest members 28 to secure them at predetermined distances from each other. The rest members 28 are spaced from one another such that the firearm could be rested on the rest members 28 between the two fibrous elements 26, or the hunter's hand could rest on them with the firearm resting on the hunter's hand or arm on the outside of the two fibrous elements 26. It should also be noted that while the rest members 28 are attached that their ends to the two fibrous elements 26, they could extend beyond the two fibrous elements 26 and still be within the scope of the present invention. The support element 22 could also have a single central support member that engages rest members 28 to support the firearm as illustrated in FIG. 17.

Since the projection 14 is preferably a cylindrical member and the support attachment member 18 has a central lumen 30 that is appropriately sized to slidingly receive the projection 14, the extendable arm 12 is able to pivot about the central lumen 30 in the support attachment member 18. This allows the hunter to move the firearm (and the firearm support system 10) within the hunter's field of view. With a plurality of rest members 28 spaced along the length of the support element 22, the hunter may alter the angle of the firearm with the ground, depending on the distance of the target from the hunter's position by utilizing the different rest members 28.

The support attachment member 18 preferably includes two holes 32 in a base plate 36 to receive screws 34. The hunter typically screws the screws 34 through the base plate 36 and into the fixed support structure 20 using a screw driver head 38 attached to one of the three arm segments 12 a,12 b,12 c. As shown best in FIGS. 2 & 3, the screw driver head 38 is attached to one end of the arm segment 12 b. The hunter then slides the projection 14 into the central lumen 30 of support attachment member 18. The firearm support system 10 is then ready to use

An alternative support attachment member 18′ is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The support attachment member 18′ is similar to the support attachment member 18, but has a reduced sized by having the screws 34 and holes 32′ through support attachment member 18 and the central lumen 30′. By inserting the screws 34 through the holes 32 and the support attachment member 18′, it supports the screws 34 in two places during insertion into the fixed support structure 20. This configuration allows for more support of the screws 34 and easier insertion of the screws 34 into the fixed support structure 20. Another alternative support attachment member is illustrated in FIG. 10. The support attachment member 18″ has straps 40 rather than screws 34 to secure it to the fixed support structure 20. The straps 40 are wrapped around the tree and then secured. This method of attaching support attachment member 18 to the fixed support structure 20 eliminates putting holes into the structure.

Another support attachment member 18′″ is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. The support attachment member 18′″ is similar to the members described above, but has a rectangular tubular portion 36′ rather than the base plate 36. In this embodiment, the holes 32″ are only through the rectangular tubular portion 36′, and not through the cylindrical portion of the support attachment member 18′″. As the screws 34″ must pass through both sides of the rectangular tubular portion 36′, the screws 34″ are preferably longer than the screws in other embodiments to account for the thickness of the rectangular tubular portion 36′ and still penetrate the support structure a sufficient distance. The screws 34″ are supported more with the two sides of the rectangular tubular portion 36′, making it easier for the user to drive the screws 34″ into the tree using only one hand. The holes 32″ are preferably countersunk on the side nearest to the cylindrical portion, to eliminate any potential interference of the screws 34′ with the projection 14.

It should be noted that the hunter may decide to leave the support attachment member 18 in the tree or other fixed support structure 20 for the next hunting trip. Additionally, the hunter could place several of the support attachment members 18 in various locations so as not to have to continually install and remove the support attachment members 18 each time.

The extendable arm 12 preferably has three arms 12 a,12 b, 12 c that are rotatably connected to one another, which allows the extendable arm 12 to be folded up and easily carried to and from the hunter's stand. See FIGS. 2 & 3. To fold the firearm support system 10, the three arms 12 a,12 b,12 c are rotated over and onto one another as illustrated in FIG. 4. In the embodiment in FIGS. 1-7, the pivoting of the three arms 12 a,12 b,12 c are about the bolts 42. Once the three arms 12 a,12 b, 12 c are folded, the support attachment member 18 can be mounted to the underside of arm 12 c. Mounting of support attachment member 18 includes inserting the screws 34 into apertures 44 on the underside of arm 12 c. Then two hook and loop type straps 46 are used to hold the support attachment member 18 to the firearm support system 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 & 3, the straps 46 also cover the screws 34 to ensure that they do not fall out during transport and storage of firearm support system 10. The two hook and loop type straps 46 are preferably secured to the firearm support system 10 so that they do not fall off or become lost during use of the firearm support system 10. In the preferred embodiment, the straps 46 are riveted to arm 12 b, but they may be secured in any manner, e.g., glued, screwed, welded, with an adhesive, etc. The straps 46 also assist in keeping the firearm support system 10 in a folded configuration.

The support element 22 can then be wrapped around the firearm support system 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Wrapping the support element 22 around the firearm support system 10 also assists with keeping the firearm support system 10 in a folded configuration in addition to making firearm support system 10 more compact overall. While the support element 22 is wrapped around the firearm support system 10 in the figures, it could also simply be gathered and then secured to the firearm support system 10 with the strap 48. In the compact configuration, firearm support system 10 can be easily transported in a fanny pack or other tote.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, extra screws 34 could be stored in the bottom rest member 28 (or any of the rest members 28). The extra screws 34 are screwed into the bottom rest member 28, but may also be stored in a hollow rest member 28′ as illustrated in FIG. 15. Alternatively, the screws 34 could also be stored inside arm 12 a as shown in FIG. 16. It should be noted that the two fibrous elements 26, which are attached to extendable arm 12 at the second end 24 by knotting each end, block the end of the extendable arm 12 b, keeping the screws 34 inside the second end 24. Access to the extra screws 34 is as easy as pulling the knotted ends of the two fibrous elements 26 out of the second end 24 of extendable arm 12. The screws 34 will then fall out of the extendable arm 12 b.

The three arms 12 a,12 b,12 c are attached to one another by bolts 42. The bolts 42 are tightened so that the extendable arm 12 does not easily close or collapse during use. While the tight bolts 42 make it hard for the extendable arm 12 to close, it may also be difficult for the hunter to extend the arms 12 a,12 b,12 c. Therefore, in FIG. 11 an alternative extendable arm 12′ is provided with wing nuts 52 that can be easily loosened during extension and folding, and then tightened to ensure that the alternative extendable arm 12′ does not unexpectedly fold during use. The heads of the bolts 54 with the wing nuts 52 are disposed within the arm 12 b′, allowing the arms to all be the same length since the heads of the bolts 54 are inside the arm 12 b. Additionally, since the heads of bolts 54 are no longer external to the arm 12 b′, the projection 14′ can be oriented so that is does not extend downward away from the extendable arm 12 as in the previous embodiment. This configuration makes for a more compact device.

A portion of another alternative embodiment of a firearm support system according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. An extendable arm 56 extends in a telescopic manner rather than in a folding manner as in the previous embodiments. While the preferred embodiment has three arms 56 a,56 b,56 c that are telescopically connected to one another there could be any number of arms or segments. The extendable arm 56 may also have a projection attached to one end to engage a support attachment member as in the previous embodiment. A screw driver 58 head may be installed on the other end of the extendable arm 56 for installing screws into a fixed support structure 20. The extendable arm 56 would also have a support element (not shown) as in the prior embodiments.

Another embodiment of firearm support system according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 14. The extendable arm 58 would be a unitary (not foldable or telescoping) member that can be secured to the support attachment member with projection and support attachment member as in the prior embodiments, or with the end 60 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The end 60 has threads 62 located on its periphery to allow the extendable arm 58 to be screwed directly into the fixed support structure. Alternatively, extendable arm 58 may also have the other attachment elements (e.g., the projection and support attachment member) discussed above with respect to the other embodiments.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the firearm support system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A firearm support system comprising: an extendable arm having at least one end; a support element attached to the at least one end of the extendable arm and having a plurality of rest members spaced from one another along at least a portion of the support element; and a support attachment member to engage a fixed structure and configured to accept at least a portion of the extendable arm.
 2. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the firearm support system pivots relative to the fixed structure.
 3. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the support element is flexible.
 4. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the extendable arm is telescopic.
 5. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the extendable arm comprises a plurality of rotatably connected arm segments.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rest members are attached to at least one flexible elongated fibrous element.
 8. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rest members has a closeable opening to store a plurality of securing elements.
 9. The firearm support system of claim 8, wherein the securing elements are screws.
 10. The firearm support system of claim 1, further comprising a screw driver head fixedly attached to a portion of the extendable arm.
 11. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the extendible arm has a projection and the support attachment member is configured to receive the projection in a pivotable manner.
 12. A firearm support system comprising: an extendable arm, the extendable arm having a first end configured to engage a support structure; and a support element secured to a second end of the extendable arm, the support element having a plurality of rest members.
 13. The firearm support system of claim 12, wherein the first end is a rounded portion with threads to engage the support structure.
 14. The firearm support system of claim 12, wherein the first end has a projection to engage a holder that is attached to the support structure.
 15. The firearm support system of claim 14, further comprising an attachment member to engage a fixed structure and configured to accept the projection on the first end of the extendable arm.
 16. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a tree.
 17. The firearm support system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a tree stand.
 18. A firearm support system comprising: an arm configured to be attached to a support structure and to extend in a generally horizontal direction away from the support structure; and a support element attached to an end of the arm, the support element having a plurality of rest members spaced from one other along the support element to support a firearm.
 19. A firearm support system consisting of: an arm configured to be pivotally attached to a support structure and to extend in a generally horizontal direction away from the structure; and a support element fixed to one end of the arm, the support element having a plurality of rest members spaced from one other along at least a portion of the support element. 